Fiber optic connectors and connectorized fiber optic cables that include integrated photonic optical mode field converters and related methods

ABSTRACT

Fiber optic connectors are provided that include a substrate having a groove therein, an optical fiber that is at least partly in the groove, an optical mode field converter or other focusing reflector that is positioned to receive an optical signal that is output from the optical fiber and a housing that surrounds the substrate and the optical fiber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/865,246, filed Aug. 13, 2013,the entire contents of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic communicationssystems and, more particularly, to fiber optic connectors that includeoptical mode field converters and to connectorized fiber optic cablesthat include such fiber optic connectors.

When an optical signal is transmitted over an optical fiber, the opticalfiber may support one or a plurality of propagation modes, dependingupon, for example, the wavelength of the optical signal and the size(e.g., diameter) of the core of the optical fiber. Generally speaking,if the wavelength of the optical signal is fixed, the number ofpropagation modes that the optical fiber supports increases withincreases in the size of the core of the optical fiber. An optical fiberthat supports a single propagation mode for an optical signal having aspecified wavelength is referred to as a “single-mode optical fiber.” Anoptical fiber that supports no more than a small number of propagationmodes (e.g., 2-5) for an optical signal at a specified wavelength isoften referred to as a “few-mode optical fiber,” For purposes of thisapplication, the term “few-mode optical fiber” refers to an opticalfiber that supports five or fewer propagation modes for a specifiedwavelength, and specifically encompasses single-mode optical fibers.Similarly, the term “multi-mode optical fiber” refers to an opticalfiber that supports more than five propagation modes for a specifiedwavelength. Multi-mode optical fibers often support tens or hundreds ofpropagation modes. The number of propagation modes that are supported bya particular optical fiber depends on the wavelength of the opticalsignal that is transmitted over the optical fiber, and thus an opticalfiber may operate as a single-mode optical fiber for a first range ofwavelengths, as a few-mode optical fiber for a second range ofwavelengths, and as a multi-mode optical fiber for a third range ofwavelengths.

A parameter known as the “cut-off wavelength” specifies the wavelengthfor a particular optical fiber at which the fiber will change fromoperating as a single-mode optical fiber to a few-mode optical fiberthat supports at least two propagation modes. Since optical fibers aretypically designed to carry optical signals at a particular wavelength,optical fibers are often referred to generically as “multi-mode opticalfibers” or as “single-mode optical fibers” without reference to aparticular optical signal wavelength, as the wavelength is implied bythe intended use of the optical fiber. By way of example, the opticaltransmitter(s) that are attached to an optical fiber will typically bedesigned to transmit optical signals at a single wavelength or over anarrow wavelength range, and hence these optical transmitter(s) definethe wavelength that allows one to determine the number of propagationmodes that are supported by the optical fiber.

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (“VCSELs”) are a type of laserthat may be used to generate and transmit optical signals over opticalfibers. VCSELs that are widely used for transmitting optical signalsover multi-mode optical fibers are typically referred to as “multi-modeVCSELs.” Multi-mode VCSELs can be coupled directly to a multi-modeoptical fiber without the need for alignment optics. Because alignmentoptics are not required, multi-mode VCSELs can support high data rateoptical communications for short range applications, such as manyenterprise applications, at a relatively low cost. While single-modeoptical fibers are less expensive than multi-mode optical fibers,coupling losses and/or the cost of alignment optics generally make itdisadvantageous to use single-mode optical fibers for many short rangeapplications.

Multi-mode VCSELs are typically designed to transmit optical signals atwavelengths of about 850 nm, which is the wavelength that is typicallyused for multi-mode optical communications. Multi-mode VCSELs andmulti-mode optical fibers are typically used for short distancecommunications (e.g., 600 meters or less) in “enterprise” applicationssuch as communications within office buildings or within a campus,because of the cost advantages associated with the use of multi-modeVCSELs and because the large core diameter of multi-mode optical fiberssimplifies connections. Typically, these VCSEL-driven multi-mode opticallinks are used to transmit signals at data rates of 10 Gigabits/second(“Gbps”) or higher.

An important characteristic of an optical fiber is the distance overwhich the fiber can support a given data rate level or bandwidth.Unfortunately, multi-mode optical signals suffer from a spreading of theoptical pulse which is referred to as “modal dispersion” or differentialmode delay (“DMD”) that result from the propagation of many differentmodes through the optical fiber. As modal dispersion builds up veryquickly in multi-mode optical fibers (e.g., within a few hundredmeters), it effectively limits the use of multi-mode opticaltransmissions to relatively short distances (e.g., to distances of 600meters or less for typical optical data rate requirements). Accordingly,single mode optical fibers are typically used for longer distancecommunications, and are typically transmitted at around 1310 nm oraround 1550 nm. However, single mode optical fibers may require the useof more expensive transceivers, alignment optics and other equipment.The current industry trend is to support increasing data rate(bandwidth) demands by reducing the lengths of the multi-mode opticalfiber links in order to avoid the increased costs associated with theuse of single mode optical fibers. However, in larger enterpriseinstallations such as campuses, data centers, large office buildings andthe like, these restrictions on the lengths of the optical fiber linksmay make it more difficult and/or expensive to use multi-mode opticalfibers in some situations, or even preclude the use of such multi-modeoptical fiber links.

SUMMARY

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic connectorsare provided that include a substrate that has a groove. An opticalfiber is at least partly positioned in the groove. An optical mode fieldconverter is positioned to receive an optical signal that is output fromthe optical fiber. A housing surrounds the substrate and the opticalfiber.

In some embodiments, the optical mode field converter may also bepositioned at least partially within the groove in the substrate. Insome embodiments, at least a portion of the groove may have a generallyU-shaped cross-section, a generally V-shaped cross-section or agenerally semi-circular cross-section. The optical mode field convertermay be configured to expand a first light field output by the opticalfiber into a second, larger area light field, and may be configured tocompress a third light field received at a light field input/output portof the fiber optic connector into a fourth, smaller area light fieldthat is input to the optical fiber.

In some embodiments, the optical mode field converter may be a concavemirror or a Holographic Bragg Grating reflector. The groove may extendbeyond an end of the optical fiber, and may include a reflectivesidewall that is configured to receive light output from the opticalfiber or light reflected by the optical mode field converter. Theoptical fiber may be an optical fiber pigtail. The fiber optic connectormay be provided in combination with a fiber optic cable that includes asecond optical fiber, at least one strength member and a jacket. In suchembodiments, the optical fiber pigtail may be fused to the secondoptical fiber and the fiber optic connector may be mounted on orpartially within the fiber optic cable to provide a connectorized fiberoptic cable. In other embodiments, the optical fiber may be an opticalfiber of a fiber optic cable that further includes at least one strengthmember and a jacket to provide a connectorized fiber optic cable.

In some embodiments, the substrate may have a front edge, a rear edgeand a pair of side edges, and a first end of the groove may be at therear edge of the substrate and a second end of the groove may be at oneof the side edges of the substrate. In other embodiments, the first endof the groove may be at the rear edge of the substrate and the secondend of the groove may also at the rear edge of the substrate. The groovemay include at least one curved or angled section. A portion of theoptical fiber that is within the groove may define a first longitudinalaxis, and a light input/output port of the fiber optic connector may beoffset from the first longitudinal axis.

Pursuant to further embodiments of the present invention, fiber opticconnections are provided that include a first fiber optic connector thathas a first housing, a first optical fiber that extends from a rearsurface of the first housing, and a first light input/output port withina side surface of the first housing. These fiber optic connectionsfurther include a second fiber optic connector that has a secondhousing, a second optical fiber that extends from a rear surface of thesecond housing, and a second light input/output port within a sidesurface of the second housing. The first and second fiber opticconnectors are mounted in a side-by-side fashion and the first andsecond light input/output ports are in optical communication with eachother.

In some embodiments, the first optical fiber and the second opticalfiber may be positioned side-by-side. The first optical fiber may bewithin a first groove in a first substrate that is mounted in the firsthousing, and the second optical fiber may be within a second groove in asecond substrate that is mounted in the second housing. A first opticalmode field converter may be positioned to receive an optical signal thatis output from the first optical fiber and a second optical mode fieldconverter may be positioned to receive the optical signal and inject itinto the second optical fiber. The first and second optical fibers maybe few-mode optical fibers for the optical signal, and wherein theoptical signal passes as a multi-mode optical signal between the firstand second optical mode field converters. The first optical mode fieldconverter may be within the first groove and the second optical modefield converter may be within the second groove. The first substrate mayinclude silicon, and the first optical mode field converter may beformed at least partly in a sidewall of the first groove.

Pursuant to still further embodiments of the present invention, fiberoptic multiplexer/de-multiplexers are provided that include a singlecore optical fiber; a Holographic Bragg Grating reflector that ispositioned to directly or indirectly receive an output of the singlecore optical fiber; and a plurality of optical fiber transmissionmediums that are positioned to directly or indirectly receive aplurality of signals output by the Holographic Bragg Grating reflector.

In some embodiments, the plurality of optical fiber transmission mediumsmay comprise a plurality of cores of a multi-core optical fiber or maycomprise a plurality of additional single core optical fibers. Theplurality of optical fiber transmission mediums may each receive arespective one of a plurality of optical signals that are wave divisionmultiplexed onto the single core optical fiber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1G are schematic block diagrams of optical communicationssystems that may use the fiber optic connectors and/or connectorizedfiber optic cables according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of end portions of a pair ofconnectorized fiber optic cables according to certain embodiments of thepresent invention where each fiber optic connector includes an opticalmode field converter.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a particular implementation of thefiber optic connectors included on the connectorized fiber optic cablesof FIG. 2 in which the optical mode field converters are implementedusing concave mirrors.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a particular implementation of thefiber optic connectors included on the connectorized fiber optic cablesof FIG. 2 in which the optical mode field converters are implementedusing Holographic Bragg Grating reflectors.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber optic connectorsaccording to certain embodiments of the present invention that form aconnection between optical fibers that are not collinear.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber optic connectorsaccording to further embodiments of the present invention that form aconnection between optical fibers that are not collinear.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a pair of mated fiber opticconnectors according to certain embodiments of the present invention inwhich the optical fibers that are connected by the mated connectionextend from the same side of the mated fiber optic connectors.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a pair of mated fiber opticconnectors according to further embodiments of the present invention inwhich the optical fibers that are connected by the mated connectionextend from the same side of the mated fiber optic connectors.

FIGS. 9-11 are schematic plan views of mated fiber optic connectors thatconnect optical fibers that define oblique angles according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 12-13 are schematic plan views of pairs of fiber optic connectorsaccording to further embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber optic connectorsaccording to further embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber optic connectorsaccording to further embodiments of the present invention that eachinclude a plano-convex lens optical mode field converter.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber optic connectorsaccording to further embodiments of the present invention that eachinclude a micro-lens or micro-lens array optical mode field converter.

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber optic connectorsaccording to further embodiments of the present invention that eachinclude a Fresnel lens optical mode field converter.

FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber optic connectorsthat each include multiple optical fibers according to furtherembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate another multi-fiber fiber optic connectoraccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of a fiber optic connector according toembodiments of the present invention that may be used to connect twomulti-core optical fibers.

FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view of a fiber optic connector according tofurther embodiments of the present invention that may be used to connecttwo multi-core optical fibers.

FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of a fiber opticmultiplexer/de-multiplexer according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of another fiber opticmultiplexer/de-multiplexer according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/594,908, filed Aug. 27, 2012 (“the'908 application”), the entire content of which is incorporated hereinby reference as if set forth fully herein, discloses opticalcommunications systems that use optical mode field converters tocompress a relatively large area light field that is received from, forexample, a multi-mode VCSEL or a multi-mode optical fiber into a muchsmaller area light field which may be optically coupled onto a smallcore optical fiber such as a single mode optical fiber or onto a smalloptical waveguide. The optical mode field converters disclosed in theabove-referenced '908 application use, for example, small form factor,low cost, photonic-based optical mode field converters which may befabricated from silicon-based substrates (e.g., silicon, siliconnitride, silica, etc.) or substrates made of other materials (e.g.,germanium) using semiconductor, micro electro-mechanical (“MEMS”) and/ormicro-machining fabrication and processing techniques. Herein the term“photonic optical mode field converter” is used to refer to an opticalmode field converter that is formed from a wafer or other substrateusing semiconductor processing, MEMS and/or micro-machining fabricationand/or processing techniques. A large number of photonic optical modefield converters may be formed on a single substrate at a foundry, andthe substrate may then by diced to provide a large number of singulatedphotonic optical mode field converters. The '908 application discloses avariety of ways to implement photonic optical mode field converters.

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic connectorsare provided that include integrated photonic (or non-photonic) opticalmode field converters, as are connectorized fiber optic cables thatinclude such fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connectorsaccording to embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated on awafer (except for the housings thereof), may not have moving parts, andmay not require the use of ferrules, bonding processes, alignment stepsand/or fiber polishing as is typically required with conventional fiberoptic connectors. As such, these fiber optic connectors can have asignificantly simpler assembly process, which can dramatically reducethe cost of fabricating the fiber optic connectors and connectorizedfiber optic cables. Moreover, the connectorized fiber optic cables andfiber optic connectors according to embodiments of the present inventionmay use mode field conversion to convert, near the point of connection,a small area light field into a large area light field and thenre-convert the large area light field back into a small area light fieldat the other side of the connection. This allows the connection betweentwo fiber optic transmission paths to be in the form of a large arealight field that is less sensitive to alignment errors, dust specks andother factors that may increase the coupling loss of a fiber opticconnection, while still allowing transmission of an optical signal as,for example a single-mode optical signal over most of the opticaltransmission path. Moreover, following the techniques disclosed in theabove-referenced '908 application, the connectorized fiber optic cablesaccording to some embodiments of the present invention may useinexpensive multi-mode VCSELs to transmit optical signals oversingle-mode optical fibers, allowing for higher data rates and/or longertransmission paths. In other embodiments of the present invention,single mode optical sources such as optical transceivers that includelasers that are coupled to distributed feedback gratings that inject anoptical signal that has a single propagation mode (or a few modes) ontoa single mode optical fiber may be used, and fiber optic cables thathave connectors that are implemented using integrated photonic opticalmode field converters may be used along the optical communications pathto provide connections that are less sensitive to alignment errors, dustspecks and the like.

According to embodiments of the present invention, fiber opticconnectors are provided that include an integrated photonic optical modefield converter that is formed on a substrate such as, for example, asilicon substrate, a silica substrate, a silicon nitride substrate, etc.Substrates that include silicon may be used in some embodiments becausesuch substrates can be etched, patterned and/or formed with very highlevels of precision using, for example, photolithography, etching and/orthin film deposition techniques that have been developed for thesemiconductor industry. The substrate includes at least one groove thatreceives an optical fiber. The photonic optical mode field converter maybe formed at least partly in the groove. The substrate may be mounted ina housing, and the housing may hold the optical fiber within the groove.In some embodiments, the photonic optical mode field converter may befabricated within the groove using photolithography, etching and/or thinfilm deposition techniques. An end of the optical fiber may extendoutside the housing. In some embodiments, the optical fiber may comprisean optical fiber pigtail that may, for example, be fused to an opticalfiber of a fiber optic cable using heat fusing or a laser splice. Inother embodiments, the optical fiber may comprise an optical fiber of afiber optic cable (i.e., the fiber optic cable is connectorized at thefactory to provide a connectorized fiber optic cable).

In some embodiments, the photonic optical mode field converter may beused to compress an 850 nm optical signal having a light field with adiameter of on the order of, for example, about 50 microns that isreceived from a multi-mode optical fiber (or other multi-mode opticalsource) to an 850 nm optical signal having a light field with a diameteron the order of, for example, about 5 microns, which signal may beoptically coupled onto a single-mode optical fiber. Photonicoptical-mode field converters may also be provided that expand an 850 nmoptical signal having a light field with a diameter on the order of, forexample, about 5 microns into 850 nm optical signal having a light fieldwith a diameter of on the order of, for example, about 50 microns.

In other embodiments, the photonic optical mode field converters may beused to expand/compress other wavelength optical signals such as, forexample, single mode optical signals having a wavelength of about 1310nm or about 1550 nm. In such embodiments, the photonic optical modefield converters may be used to expand the light field of the opticalsignals at connection points where, for example, two fiber opticalcables are connected to each other and/or or at patch panels and otherconnections points.

It will be appreciated that the above-referenced embodiments are simplyexamples of implementations of fiber optic connectors that includephotonic optical mode converters according to embodiments of the presentinvention, and that many other applications are possible, including thenumerous applications disclosed in the above-referenced '908application.

The fiber optic connectors according to embodiments of the presentinvention may replace conventional fiber optic connectors that includepolished ferrules. Conventional fiber optic connectors typically requiremanual precision assembly that includes steps such as bonding steps,alignment steps and polishing steps that require high precision andwhich may be very expensive and time-consuming to perform. Theseconventional connectors also include moving parts (e.g., ferrules). Incontrast, fiber optic connectors according to embodiments of the presentinvention may be mass-produced in a foundry setting, may eliminate someor all of the bonding, alignment and polishing steps, and may have nomoving parts, which may result in more reliable and robust connectors.

A variety of methods are known for reducing the area of a light field ofan optical signal that is output from a first element so that theoptical signal may be optically coupled onto a second element that has asmaller cross-sectional area. For example, a large area light field maybe passed through a lens that focuses the large area light field that isoutput from the first element into a small area light field that may beinput to the second element. As another example, a large area lightfield that is output by the first element may be passed through atapered waveguide that reduces the large area light field to a smallerarea light field that may be input to the second element. Unfortunately,these known approaches may require highly accurate alignment of thefirst and second elements, and often exhibit high signal couplinglosses. Because of these difficulties, single-mode optical fibercommunications systems typically use much more highly focused lasersthan the multi-mode VCSEL lasers that are used in multi-mode opticalfiber communications, and may also use a lens to further focus theoptical signal to facilitate coupling the optical signal directly fromthe optical transmitter (i.e., the laser) onto the single-mode opticalfiber.

The above-referenced '908 application discloses optical communicationssystems which employ photonic optical mode field converters to compressa relatively large area light field that is received from, for example,a multi-mode optical fiber or a multi-mode VCSEL that transmit signalsin, for example, the 830 nm to 1360 nm range into a much smaller arealight field which may be coupled onto, for example, a few-mode opticalfiber or to a small area, high-speed photodetector.

By way of example, FIGS. 1A-1E are schematic block diagrams of variousoptical communications systems that are disclosed in theabove-referenced '908 application. The fiber optic connectors andconnectorized cables according to embodiments of the present inventionmay be used in implementing these optical communications systems.

In particular, FIG. 1A illustrates an optical communications system 10Athat includes an optical light source 10, a multi-mode optical fiber 20,an optical mode field converter 30, a few-mode optical fiber 40 and asmall light field optical receiver 50 (e.g., an optical receiver with aphotodetection area that is slightly larger than the cross-sectionalarea of a single-mode optical fiber). The optical light source 10 maybe, for example a semiconductor laser or light emitting diode. In someembodiments, the optical light source 10 may be an optical transmitterthat includes a multi-mode VCSEL that transmits optical signals atcertain wavelengths that are within the range of 830 nm to 1360 nm thathas a relatively large area light field such as, for example, a lightfield having a diameter of between about 25 microns and about 65microns.

The optical light source 10 may couple the large area light fieldoptical signal onto a first end of the multi-mode optical fiber 20. Themulti-mode optical fiber 20 may comprise, for example, a conventionaloptical fiber that is designed for 850 nm optical signals that has acore diameter of between about 25 microns and about 65 microns. Themulti-mode optical fiber 20 may be enclosed within an optical cablestructure that includes strength members, buffer tubes, a cable jacketand/or other conventional fiber optic cable components. The second endof the multi-mode optical fiber 20 may be coupled to the optical modefield converter 30.

The optical mode field converter 30 may comprise, for example, any ofthe optical mode field converters that are disclosed in the '908application. The optical mode field converter 30 may receive the largearea light field output by the multi-mode optical fiber 20, and may thenreduce this large area light field to a substantially smaller area lightfield (e.g., ten to one hundred times smaller), and then couples thesmall area light field onto the few-mode optical fiber 40. The few-modeoptical fiber 40 may comprise, for example, a conventional single modeoptical fiber that is designed for 1310 nm optical signals that has acore diameter of, for example, about 5 microns. The few-mode opticalfiber 40 may be enclosed within an optical cable structure that mayinclude strength members, buffer tubes, a cable jacket and/or otherconventional optical cable components. The optical fiber 40 may supporta small number of modes (e.g., 1-4 modes) when an 850 nm optical signalis launched into the optical fiber 40. The few-mode optical fiber 40 maycouple the optical signal that is received from the optical mode fieldconverter 30 to the small light field optical receiver 50. The smalllight field optical receiver 50 may comprise, for example, anyconventional optical receiver (or transceiver) that is capable ofconverting an optical signal to an electrical signal. The opticalreceiver 50 may have a small area photodetector that is, for example,approximately matched in size to the cross-sectional area of thefew-mode optical fiber 40. The use of such a small area photodetectormay allow for faster photodetection.

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of an optical communications system10B that is identical to the optical communications system 10A describedabove, except that the multi-mode optical fiber 20 of opticalcommunications system 10A has been omitted. The optical communicationssystem 10B provides a mechanism for directly coupling an optical signalfrom multi-mode VCSEL onto a single-mode optical fiber via the opticalmode field converter 30.

FIG. 1C is a schematic block diagram of another optical communicationssystem 10C. The optical communications system 10C is identical to theoptical communications system 10B described above, except that (1) theoptical communications system 10C includes a second optical mode fieldconverter 30-2 (the first optical mode field converter 30 is labeled30-1 in FIG. 1C in order to differentiate between the first and secondoptical mode field converters) and (2) the small light field opticalreceiver 50 included in the optical communications system 10B isreplaced with a large light field optical receiver 60. The large lightfield optical receiver 60 may comprise, for example, an optical receiver(or transceiver) that is designed to receive 850 nm multi-mode opticalsignals from a multi-mode optical fiber. The second optical mode fieldconverter 30-2 that is included in the optical communications system 10Cmay be used to convert the small area light field that is output by thefew-mode optical fiber 40 into a large area light field that is passedto a photodetector in the large light field optical receiver 60. Theoptical communications system 10C may be implemented, for example, in analready-installed multi-mode optical communications system by simplyreplacing an existing multi-mode optical fiber with the few-mode opticalfiber 40 and the two optical mode field converters 30-1, 30-2.

FIG. 1D is a schematic block diagram of an optical communications system10D that is identical to the optical communications 10A described above,except that the optical communications system 10D includes twoadditional optical mode field converters 30-2, 30-3. The provision ofthe second and third optical mode field converters 30-2, 30-3 allows atechnician to only expose components having large area light fields whenmaking connectivity changes.

FIG. 1E is a schematic block diagram of an optical communications system10E that is identical to the optical communications system 10D describedabove, except that the multi-mode optical fiber 20 of opticalcommunications system 10D has been omitted so that the optical lightsource 10 is coupled directly to the optical mode field converter 30-1.The optical communications system 10E provides a mechanism for directlyusing multi-mode VCSELs for communications over single-mode opticalfibers.

As noted above, the fiber optic connectors and cables according toembodiments of the present invention may be used in, for example,applications that employ single mode optical transceivers as well as inapplications that employ multimode optical transceivers such as VCSELs.By way of example, FIGS. 1F-1G are schematic block diagrams of twoadditional example optical communications systems which use fiber opticcables according to embodiments of the present invention.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1F, the optical communications system 10Fincludes an optical light source 15, that may be, for example, anoptical transmitter that outputs a very narrow beam optical signal suchas a distributed feedback grating laser. The optical source 15 mayoutput an optical signal at, for example, about 1310 nm or at about 1550nm. The optical communications system 10F further includes a few-modeoptical fiber 40, an optical mode field converter 30-2, an optical modefield converter 30-3, and a small light field optical receiver 50. Theoptical mode field converters 30-2, 30-3 may be used to provide a largearea light field at the connection point between fiber optic cable 40and optical receiver 50.

FIG. 1G is a schematic block diagram of an optical communications system10G that is similar to the optical communications system 10F describedabove, except that the optical communications system 10G furtherincludes an additional few-mode optical fiber 40 and an additional setof optical mode field converters 30-2, 30-3. As shown in FIG. 1G, theadditional set of optical mode field converters 30-2, 30-3 may used toprovide a large area light field at the connection point between the twofew mode optical fibers 40.

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, fiber optic connectorsare provided that may be used to implement the connectorized multi-modefiber optic cables, connectorized single-mode fiber optic cables andconnectorized multi-mode to single-mode fiber optic cables. Theseconnectorized fiber optic cables may be used, for example, to implementthe optical communications systems of FIGS. 1A-1G above. For example, aconnectorized fiber optic cable may be provided that includes thefew-mode optical fiber 40 and fiber optic connectors on one or both endsof the cable that include the optical mode field converters 30-1, 30-2.The components of the fiber optic connectors according to embodiments ofthe present invention may be mass produced at low cost, and theconnectorized cables that use these fiber optic connectors may costsignificantly less to assemble than conventional connectorized fiberoptic cables. The fiber optic connectors that are used in theconnectorized fiber optic cables according to some embodiments of thepresent invention may terminate an optical fiber directly onto asubstrate that includes a photonic optical mode field converter.Semiconductor and/or MEMS processing and fabrication techniques may beused to etch a groove into the substrate that receives the opticalfiber, and/or to form an optical mode field converter in or on thesubstrate that receives a light field that is output by the opticalfiber. The substrate and the end portion of the optical fiber may beenclosed in a housing to form the fiber optic connector. The fiber opticconnector may include features that facilitate mating with another fiberoptic connector.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed ingreater detail with reference to FIGS. 2-19.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of end portions of first and secondconnectorized fiber optic cables according to certain embodiments of thepresent invention. The depicted fiber optic connectors of theseconnectorized fiber optic cables each include a photonic optical modefield converter.

As shown in FIG. 2, first and second connectorized fiber optic cables110-1, 110-2 are provided. Herein, when multiple of the same componentsare described and illustrated they may be referred to individually bytheir full reference numeral (e.g., connectorized fiber optic cable110-2) and they may be referred to collectively by the first part oftheir reference numeral (e.g., the connectorized fiber optic cables110). A respective fiber optic connector 120-1, 120-2 is mounted on anend of each connectorized cable 110-1, 110-2. The fiber optic connectors120-1, 120-2 may be mated directly to each other to allow an opticalsignal to pass from the first connectorized fiber optic cable 110-1 tothe second connectorized fiber optic cable 110-2. Alternatively, thefiber optic connectors 120-1 and 120-2 may each be mated to an adapterstructure (not shown) to allow an optical signal to pass from the firstconnectorized fiber optic cable 110-1 to the second connectorized fiberoptic cable 110-2.

Typically, each connectorized fiber optic cable 110 will include a fiberoptic connector 120 on each end of the cable (although only one end ofeach connectorized fiber optic cable 110 is depicted in FIG. 2 tosimplify the drawing). In some embodiments, the two fiber opticconnectors 120 of each connectorized fiber optic cable 110 may beidentical, although they need not be. Each connector 120 may include asubstrate 122. In example embodiments, the substrate 122 may comprise asemiconductor substrate such as a silicon substrate or a substrateformed from a silicon containing material such as silica, siliconnitride or the like. However, it will be appreciated that the substrate122 may be formed of any suitable material that may be processed using,for example, semiconductor processing techniques, MEMS processingtechniques and/or micro-machining fabrication techniques. The substrate122 may comprise a “chip” that is diced from a larger wafer. Forexample, in some embodiments, a silicon wafer may be grown and processedto form a plurality of the substrates 122. In some embodiments, hundredsor thousands of substrates 122 may be prepared from a single wafer. Oncethe processing is completed, the wafer may be cut along scribe lines or“diced” to singulate the wafer into the plurality of substrates 122.

As shown in FIG. 2, each substrate 122 may include a groove 124. Thegroove 124 may comprise, for example, a semicircular groove, a U-shapedgroove, a V-shaped groove 124 or the like. An end of an optical fiber150-1 or 150-2 may be positioned within the groove 124. The groove maybe very precisely positioned on the substrate using, for example,semiconductor photolithography and etching techniques that are used tofabricate highly integrated semiconductor devices such as semiconductormemory devices. The optical fiber 150 may, in some embodiments, beinterference fit within the groove 124. The groove 124 may include oneor more stops or other fiber alignment structures 126 that facilitatepositioning the end of the optical fiber 150 at a precise distance froman edge of the substrate 122 and/or at a precise angle. The connectors120-1, 120-2 may each include a light field input/output port 140 thatmay be located, for example, at a first end of the groove 124 that isopposite a second end of the groove 124 that receives the optical fiber150.

As is further shown in FIG. 2, each substrate 122 may include at leastone focusing reflective element 130. In some embodiments, the focusingreflective element 130 may comprise a pair of optical mode fieldconverters 130-1, 130-2, which may be implemented as photonic opticalmode field converters. As is discussed in greater detail in theaforementioned '908 application, a variety of different technologies maybe used to implement photonic optical mode field converters 130-1, 130-2including, for example, photonic tapered waveguides, photonic crystalsor grating couplers, and photonic lenses. A light field that is outputby an optical source such as the optical fiber 150 may be passed throughthese photonic optical mode field converters 130-1, 130-2 to eithercompress the light field into a smaller area light field (when passedthrough the photonic optical mode field converter 130 in a firstdirection) or to expand the light field into a larger area light field(when passed through the photonic optical mode field converter 130 inthe opposite direction). The fiber optic connectors according toembodiments of the present invention may provide a simple, convenientmechanism for terminating an optical fiber so that the light field ofthe optical fiber is precisely received by a photonics optical modefield converter without the need for the use of ferrules, epoxy, fiberpolishing and the like that is necessary when conventional optical fibertermination techniques are used.

In some embodiments, the photonics optical mode field converters 130-1,130-2 may be at least partly positioned within their respective grooves124. This may provide a convenient way of directing the light fieldoutput by the optical fibers 150 onto and through the photonic opticalmode field converters 130. The photonics optical mode field converters130-1, 130-2 may be formed within their respective grooves 124 usingsemiconductor, MEMS or micro-machining fabrication techniques, or may beseparately formed and then positioned within the groove 124 or inanother location where they are positioned to receive an optical signaloutput by the respective optical fibers 150-1, 150-2. While not shown inFIG. 2, in some embodiments one or more reflective surfaces may beprovided on, for example, sidewalls of the groove 124.

It will be appreciated, however, that while in some embodiments thephotonic optical mode field converters 130 are positioned within thegroove 124, in other embodiments, the photonic optical mode fieldconverters 130 may not be within the groove 124. For example, in someembodiments, the photonic optical mode field converter 130 may comprisea tapered waveguide that is positioned adjacent the groove 124 andconfigured to receive a light field output from the optical fiber 150that is within the groove 124. In other embodiments, the groove 124 maybe disposed at an angle with respect to a top surface of the substrate122 so that once the optical fiber 150 is placed within the groove 124the end of the optical fiber 150 slants upward toward the top surface ofthe substrate so that the light field output by the optical fiber 150 isreceived by a photonic optical mode field converter 130 (or otherelement) that is formed or positioned on a top surface of the substrate122.

The connectors 120-1, 120-2 may each include a light field input/outputport 140 at which light that is passed through the photonic optical modefield converter 130 is output from the connector, or which receiveslight from an external source and passes the received light to thephotonic optical mode field converter 130. In some embodiments, thelight field input/output port 140 may be an end of the groove 124. As isfurther shown in FIG. 2, the light field output through the light fieldinput/output port 140 of the first connector 120-1 may be aligned withthe light field input/output port 140 of the second connector 120-2.Thus, the light field input/output ports 140 of connectors 120-1, 120-2may be arranged in a facing relationship so that an optical signaltransmitted along connectorized fiber optic cable 110-1 may betransferred to connectorized fiber optic cable 110-2.

While not shown in FIG. 2, the fiber optic connectors 120 may eachinclude housing structures that are configured to mate with each otherso that the two connectors 120 may be joined together so that the lightfield input/output ports 140 thereof will be precisely aligned. In otherembodiments, the connectors 120 may each have a housing that is designedto mate with a fiber optic adapter (not shown). The fiber optic adaptermay be designed to precisely align the connectors on two fiber opticcables or to align the connector of a fiber optic cable with an outputof optical equipment such as a VCSEL, a distributed feedback gratinglaser or an optical receiver.

In some embodiments, the optical fibers 150 that are terminated intoeach connector 120 may comprise few-mode optical fibers (e.g., anoptical fiber that is sized to transmit an 850 nm optical signal as asingle-mode optical signal or a conventional single mode optical fiber).In such embodiments, the optical fibers 150 may, for example, each havea core having a diameter on the order of about five microns. Thephotonic optical mode field converter 130-1 in the first fiber opticconnector 120-1 may comprise a structure that expands the light fieldoutput by the optical fiber 150-1 into a larger area light field (e.g.,a light field having a diameter on the order of fifty microns). Thisexpanded light field is output from the first connector 120-1 throughlight field input/output port 140 and is received through the lightfield input/output port 140 of the second connector 120-2. The lightfield that is input to the second connector 120-2 then passes throughphotonic optical mode field converter 130-2 of the second connector120-2 where it is compressed into a smaller area light field (e.g., alight field having a diameter on the order of five microns). Thephotonic optical mode field converter 130-2 of the second fiber opticconnector 120-2 directs this small area light field into the opticalfiber 150-2 that is terminated into the second connector 120-2. In thismanner, the first and second fiber optic connectors 120-1, 120-2 providea means for transferring an optical signal that is carried on theoptical fiber 150-1 of the first connectorized fiber optic cable 110-1onto the optical fiber 150-2 of the second connectorized fiber opticcable 110-2.

As explained above, the photonic optical mode field converters 130-1,130-2 may expand the light field at the point of the connection from asmall area light field to a much larger area light field. This may havevarious advantages. For example, if the first and second connectors 120are not perfectly aligned, then some of the light that is output fromthe first connector 120-1 will not impinge on the light fieldinput/output port 140 of the second connector 120-2, and thus a portionof the optical signal that is being transmitted will be lost at theconnection between the first and second connectorized cable assemblies110-1, 110-2. If a small area light field (e.g., a light field having adiameter of, for example, five microns) is passed between the first andsecond fiber optic connectors 120, then a very small alignment error(e.g., an error of one or two microns) can result in significantattenuation of the optical signal. However, since in the embodiment ofFIG. 2 a large area light field having a diameter of, for example, fiftymicrons, is passed between the first and second fiber optic connectors120, then a small alignment error may not significantly impact theoptical signal as only a small amount of the optical signal will be lostdue to this alignment error.

As another example, the first and second connectors 120 may be connectedand detached in the field as part of equipment changes, patching changesand the like. As technicians in the field attach and detach variousfiber optic connectors, there is a danger that dust particles or otherparticles may come to rest on the ends of the optical fibers thatterminate in these connectors. A typical dust particle may have adiameter of, for example, about one micron, while a core of asingle-mode optical fiber may have a diameter of, for example, aboutfive microns. Consequently, if one or more dust particles come to reston the end of an optical fiber in a conventional connection of singlemode optical fibers, then these dust particles can potentially block asignificant percentage of the light field, thereby degrading the opticalcommunications link. However, by expanding the diameter of the lightfield at the point of the connection by, for example, a factor of ten,the area of the light field is expanded by a factor of one hundred. Assuch, the potentially degrading effect of a dust particle may besignificantly reduced by expanding the light field at the point ofconnection.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic plan views of two example implementations ofthe fiber optic connectors 120-1 and 120-2 that are mounted on therespective connectorized fiber optic cables 110-1, 110-2 of FIG. 2. Inparticular, FIG. 3 illustrates a pair of fiber optic connectors 120A-1,120A-2 (which could be used to implement the fiber optic connectors120-1, 120-2 of FIG. 2) in which the photonic optical mode fieldconverters 130 are implemented as concave mirrors 130A-1, 130A-2, whileFIG. 4 illustrates a pair of fiber optic connectors 120B-1, 120B-2(which also could be used to implement the fiber optic connectors 120-1,120-2 of FIG. 2) in which the photonic optical mode field converters 130are implemented using Holographic Bragg Grating (“HBG”) reflectors130B-1, 130B-2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second fiber optic connectors 120A-1,120A-2 each include photonic optical mode field converters 130 in theform of reflective concave mirrors 130A-1, 130A-2. These concave mirrors130A-1, 130A-2 may be positioned at a predetermined distance from theend of the respective optical fibers 150-1, 150-2. In the depictedembodiment, the grooves 124 in the substrates 122 may be implemented asgroove 124A-1, 124A-2 that include respective angled sections 128A-1,128A-2. As such, only a portion of each groove 124A-1, 124A-2 iscollinear with the optical fibers 150-1, 150-2 that are received withinthe respective grooves 124A-1, 124A-2. The concave mirrors 130A-1,130A-2 may be formed on a sidewall of their respective grooves 124A-1,124A-2. In some embodiments, the concave mirrors 130A may simplycomprise a concave-shaped sidewall of the groove 124A that is etched ina manner to have a reflective surface. In other embodiments, eachconcave mirror 130A may be formed by depositing a second layer on thesidewall of its respective groove 124A using, for example, thin filmdeposition techniques. The concave mirror 130A-1 may be sized to be atleast as large as the expanded light field that will impinge thereonwhen an optical signal exits the optical fiber 150-1 of the first fiberoptic connector 120A-1 and expands as the light traverses the distancefrom the end of the optical fiber 150-1 to the concave mirror 130A-1.The concave mirror 130A-2 may be similarly sized with respect to theexpanded light field output by optical fiber 150-2.

The portions of grooves 124A-1, 124A-2 that receive the concave mirrors130A-1, 130A-2 may be deepened and/or widened as necessary toaccommodate the concave mirrors 130A-1, 130A-2. Moreover, the upper wallof each groove 124A is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of theportion of the groove 124A that receives the respective optical fibers150-1, 150-2 so that the grooves 124A-1, 124A-2 each have a respectiveangled sidewall 129A-1, 129A-2. Each groove 124A ends at the light fieldinput/output port 140A. A light field that is output from the opticalfiber 150-1 of the first fiber optic connector 120A-1 expands as itexits the optical fiber 150-1 and impinges on the concave mirror 130A-1.The mirror 130A-1 reflects the light field as a collimated beam at abouta ninety degree angle (in the depicted embodiment, although it will beappreciated that other angles may be used) so that the light field isdirected onto the angled sidewall 129A-1. The angled sidewall 129A-1 maybe a reflective surface that redirects the light field at an angle ofabout ninety degrees so that the light field exits the groove 124A-1through the light field input/output port 140A where it passes to thelight field input/output port 140A of the second fiber optic connector120A-2.

The second fiber optic connector 120A-2 may be identical to the firstfiber optic connector 120A-1 that is described above, and hence thelight field that is received within light field input/output port 140Aof the second fiber optic connector 120A-2 undergoes the reverse of theprocess described above. In particular, the light field reflects off ofthe angled sidewall 129A-2 at a ninety degree angle towards concavemirror 130A-2, which focuses the light field into a much smaller lightfield and directs the focused light field into the optical fiber 150-2of the second fiber optic connector 120A-2.

As shown in FIG. 4, in another embodiment, the photonic optical modefield converters 130 of the fiber optic connectors 120 of FIG. 2 may beimplemented as HBG reflectors 130B-1, 130B-2 that are included in a pairof fiber optic connectors 120B-1, 120B-2. The HBG reflectors 130B arestructures that receive incident light and then reflect the receivedlight at a different angle, where the angle of reflection will varybased on the wavelength of the incident light. In the embodiment of FIG.4, a wave division multiplex signal that includes light at a variety ofdifferent wavelengths may be output from the optical fiber 150-1 of thefirst fiber optic connector 120B-1. The substrate 122B-1 of fiber opticconnector 120B-1 includes a groove 124B-1 that has a first angledsidewall 128B-1 and a second angled sidewall 129B-1. The second angledsidewall 129B-1 may be formed as an HBG reflector 130B-1 or may have anHBG reflector 130B-1 positioned thereon. The wave division multiplexsignal that is output by optical fiber 150-1 is reflected by the firstangled sidewall 128B-1 of groove 124B-1 toward the HBG reflector 130B-1.The HBG reflector 130B-1 is positioned at a distance and angle withrespect to the first angled sidewall 128B-1 so that the light receivedfrom the first angled sidewall 128B-1 exits the HBG reflector 130B-1 asa large area light field in the form of a collimated beam that is passedout of the first fiber optic connector 120B-1 through light input/outputport 140B. The reverse process occurs in the second fiber opticconnector 120B-2 so that the large area light field that is receivedfrom the first fiber optic connector 120B-1 is focused into a small arealight field by the HBG reflector 130B-2 and then is directed into theoptical fiber 150-2 of the second fiber optic connector 120B-2 by thefirst angled sidewall 128B-2.

The HBG reflectors 130B may be formed, for example, by etching thesidewalls of the grooves 124B. In other embodiments, the HBG reflectors130B may be formed as gratings on the sidewalls of the grooves 124B. Instill other embodiments, the HBG reflectors 130B may be formedseparately and deposited within the grooves 124B.

While FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two examples of fiber optic connectors120A and 120B that use particular types of photonic optical mode fieldconverters 130A, 130B, it will be appreciated that these examples areexemplary in nature and that other photonic optical mode fieldconverters or even non-photonic optical mode field converters may beused instead.

Pursuant to further embodiments of the present invention, connectorizedfiber optic cables are provided that include “stackable” connectors thatcan be connected together by stacking the connectors of two cablesvertically or horizontally (for example). FIGS. 5-10 illustrate exampleembodiments of such connectorized fiber optic cables.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of fiber optic connectors 120C-1, 120C-2 maybe provided that are designed to be stacked in, for example, aside-by-side manner to form a connection. The first fiber opticconnector 120C-1 includes a substrate 122C-1 that has a groove 124C-1formed therein and an optical fiber 150-1 that is positioned within oneend of the groove 124C-1. The substrate 122C-1 is mounted in a firsthousing 123C-1. The other end of the groove 124C-1 has an angled endwall 128C-1 which has an HBG reflector 130C-1 formed therein or thereon.The HBO reflector 130C-1 may be identical to the HBG reflector 130D-1discussed above with reference to FIG. 4. The HBO reflector 130C-1receives a light field that is output from the optical fiber 150-1 anddirects that light field as a collimated beam through a light fieldinput/output port 140C that is located in a sidewall of the substrate122C-1. The first fiber optic connector 120C-1 may be very similar tofiber optic connector 120B-1 that is discussed above with respect toFIG. 4, with the primary change being that the second angled sidewall129B-1 that is provided in fiber optic connector 120B-1 may be omittedin connector 120C-1 as the light field is output through a sidewall ofthe of substrate 122C-1 as opposed to being output through an end of thesubstrate 122C-1 that is opposite the optical fiber 150-1. The secondfiber optic connector 120C-2, having a second substrate 122C-2 mountedin a second housing 123C-2, may be identical to the first fiber opticconnector 120C-1, and hence further discussion thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 depicts another pair of stackable fiber optic connectors 120D-1,120D-2 according to further embodiments of the present invention. Thefiber optic connectors 120D may be almost identical to the fiber opticconnectors 120C of FIG. 5, except that the HBG reflectors 130C-1, 130C-2that are used in the fiber optic connectors 120C-1, 120C-2 are replacedin the fiber optic connectors 120D-1, 120D-2 with concave mirrors130D-1, 130D-2.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another pair of stackable fiber optic connectors120E-1, 120E-2 according to still further embodiments of the presentinvention. The first (upper) fiber optic connector 120E-1 may beidentical to the first connector 120C-1 that is depicted in FIG. 5. Thesecond (lower) fiber optic connector 120E-2 may almost be identical tothe second fiber optic connector 120C-2 of FIG. 5, with the onlydifference being that the second fiber optic connector 120E-2 isdesigned to have the optical fiber 150-2 enter the left hand side of thefiber optic connector 120E-2 (as opposed to through the right hand sideas is the case with fiber optic connector 120C-2).

FIG. 8 depicts a pair of stackable fiber optic connectors 120E-1, 120E-2according to still further embodiments of the present invention. Thefiber optic connectors 120E-1, 120E-2 may be almost identical to thefiber optic connectors 120E-1, 120E-2 of FIG. 7, except that in thefiber optic connectors 120E-1, 120E-2 the HBG reflectors 130E-1, 130E-2are replaced with concave mirrors 130E-1, 130E-2.

FIG. 9 illustrates yet another pair of stackable fiber optic connectors120G-1, 120G-2 according to embodiments of the present invention thatconnect at a ninety degree angle. The first (upper) fiber opticconnector 120G-1 may simply comprise a substrate 122G-1 that has agroove 124G-1 therein. An optical fiber 150-1 is positioned in thegroove 124G-1. The second (lower) fiber optic connector 120G-2 may beidentical to the second (lower) fiber optic connector 120E-2 of FIG. 7.As shown in FIG. 9, light that is output from optical fiber 150-1 of thesecond fiber optic connector 120G-2 expands as it exits the opticalfiber 150-2 and impinges on the HBG reflector 130G-2. The HBG reflector130G-2 reflects the light field at about a ninety degree angle andfocuses the light field so that the light field is directed into theoptical fiber 150-1 of connector 120G-1.

FIG. 10 depicts another pair of stackable fiber optic connectors 120H-1,120H-2 according to still further embodiments of the present invention.The fiber optic connectors 120H-1, 120H-2 may be almost identical to thefiber optic connectors 120G-1, 120G-2 of FIG. 9, except that in thefiber optic connectors 120H-1, 120H-2 the HBG reflector 130G-2 of fiberoptic connector 120G-2 is replaced with concave mirror 130H-2.

Finally, FIG. 11 illustrates that the HBG reflector that is included inconnectors according to embodiments of the present invention may bedesigned to pass light between two optical fibers at any selected angle.While in FIG. 11 the two optical fibers 150-1, 150-2 are illustrated asentering a common housing, it will be appreciated that the opticalfibers 150-1, 150-2 may be in separate housings that connect so that theoptical fibers direct light fields onto and receive light fields fromthe HBG reflector 1301-2.

The fiber optic connectors 120C through 1201 of FIGS. 5-11 may be usedto optically connect two optical fibers 150-1, 150-2 that are notcollinear. This is in contrast to conventional fiber optic connectors,which typically align the optical fibers 150-1, 150-2 of two fiber opticcables along a common axis so that light may be passed from the firstoptical fiber 150-1 onto the second optical fiber 150-2. The ability tooptically connect two optical fibers 150-1, 150-2 that are not collinearmay have a number of advantages in certain applications. For example, intraditional fiber optic patch panels, shelves, cabinets and the likethat provide connection points for pairs of fiber optic cables, a firstplurality of fiber optic cables typically enter or are arranged on oneside of the patch panel, shelf or cabinet and a second plurality offiber optic cables enter or are arranged on one side of the patch panel,shelf or cabinet. Such an arrangement is typically used because fiberoptic cables typically have associated “bend radiuses” that define thedegree of curvature that the cable can handle without damaging theoptical fibers therein and/or without unacceptably degrading thetransmission of the optical signals that may be transmitted over thoseoptical fibers. As these bend radiuses tend to be fairly large, it isoften impractical to have both fiber optic cables that are to beconnected entering from the same side of the patch panel, shelf orcabinet. In contrast to such conventional connectorized fiber opticcable, connectorized fiber optic cables 110 that include the fiber opticconnectors 120E or 120F of FIGS. 7 and 8 above can both enter a fiberoptic patch panel, shelf or cabinet from the same side and can togetherform a 180 degree loop in an extremely small space such as, for examplea diameter of 1 millimeter or less. In many applications it may beinconvenient to need to provide a technician access to both sides of apatch panel, shelf or cabinet and thus the connectorized fiber opticcables according to certain embodiments of the present invention mayfacilitate the use of patch panels, shelves, cabinets and other fiberoptic cable connection apparatus that have most or all of the fiberoptic cables entering from the same side of the structure. In otherwords, the fiber optic connectors according to embodiments of thepresent invention may allow for sharp bends in the opticalcommunications path, which may greatly simplify matters by reducing oreliminating any need for minimum curve radiuses in the fiber opticcables at or around connection points.

Pursuant to still further embodiments of the present invention,connectorized fiber optic cables may be provided that are suitable foruse with conventional fiber optic connectors. FIGS. 12 and 13schematically illustrate two such connectorized fiber optic cables.

In particular, FIG. 12 illustrates a pair of fiber optic connectors120J-1, 120J-2 according to embodiments of the present invention. As isshown in FIG. 12, the fiber optic connector 120J-1 includes a substrate122J-1 that has a groove 124J-1 formed in an upper surface thereof. Thefiber optic connector 120J-1 includes two photonic optical mode fieldconverters 130J-1, 130J-1′ in the form of first and second concavemirrors 130J-1, 130J-1′. Together, the first and second concave mirrors130J-1, 130J-1′ may be used to pass a light field that is output fromthe optical fiber 150-1 into, for example, an optical fiber of a fiberoptic cable that has a like-sized core. In particular, the first opticalmode field converter 130J-1 may expand the light field output by theoptical fiber 150-1, while the second optical mode field converter130J-2 may focus the light field received from the optical mode fieldconverter 130J-1 and direct the compressed light field into the opticalfiber 150-2. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, the second fiberoptic connector 120J-2 comprises a substrate 122J-2 that has a groove124J-2 that has an optical fiber 150-2 therein. However, it will beappreciated that in other embodiments, the fiber optic connector 120J-2could comprise a conventional fiber optic connector that has an opticalfiber mounted in a ferrule.

FIG. 13 illustrates a pair of fiber optic connectors 120K-1, 120K-2 thatare similar to the fiber optic connectors 120J-1, 120J-2 of FIG. 12,except that the first and second concave mirrors 130J-1, 130J-1′ arereplaced with an angled sidewall 128K-1 in a groove 124K-1 and an HBGreflector 130K-1 to achieve the same result.

As shown above, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, highprecision fiber optic connectors may be provided that may be used toconnectorize fiber optic cables. In some embodiments, the fiber opticconnectors may be separately fabricated from the cable, and theconnector may be fabricated to have one or more optical fiber “pigtails”(i.e., a short length of optical fiber) that, for example, extendoutside the connector housing. These fiber optic connectors may then beused to terminate a fiber optic cable by fusing or otherwise attachingeach optical fiber pigtail to a corresponding optical fiber of the fiberoptic cable and connecting other components of the fiber optic cable(e.g., one or more of the cable jacket, strength members, etc.) to theconnector housing. In other embodiments, the optical fibers of anoptical cable may be directly terminated into the fiber optic connectorsaccording to embodiments of the present invention. The fiber opticconnectors according to embodiments of the present invention may thusreplace the polished ferrule that is typically used in conventionalfiber optic connectors—which is expensive to make and time-consuming toinstall—with a substrate that is manufactured in a foundry. The fiberoptic connectors according to embodiments of the present invention mayalso not have any moving parts, which may make them more reliable androbust. Additionally, the polishing steps and expensive manual precisionassembly operations that are generally necessary with conventional fiberoptic connectors are not necessary with respect to various of the fiberoptic connectors according to embodiments of the present invention.

The connectors according to embodiments of the present invention may bemass produced in a factory setting using semiconductor fabricationand/or micro-machining techniques. These techniques may be very preciseas lithography and micro-machining techniques are now very advanced, andhence may provide connectors with precisely aligned optical fibers thatmay have better tolerances as compared to conventional fiber opticconnectors. As the connectors can be mass-produced, they may bemanufactured more quickly and more cheaply than conventional fiber opticconnectors, and product development may be more agile. Moreover,semiconductor and MEMS foundry operations are well-known, provenprocesses that may allow quick and relatively inexpensive scaling up forthe mass production of fiber optic connectors.

In some embodiments, the optical mode field converters 130 may comprisefocusing reflectors. Examples of such focusing reflectors 130 areconcave mirrors, HBG reflectors and digital Fresnel structures. Thesefocusing reflectors 130 may be formed in a substrate 122 that holds theoptical fiber 150 in a groove 124. Reflective layers formed of materialssuch as, for example, silver, may be deposited on the substrate using,for example, thin film deposition techniques, sputtering and the like.The focusing reflectors 130 may be positioned in the groove 124 thatholds the optical fiber 150 so that the focusing reflector 130 receives,reflects and expands the light field output by the optical fiber 150 (orin the other direction, receives a light field, focuses or collimatesit, and reflects it into the optical fiber 150). Additional reflectingelements (e.g., non-focusing reflective elements) may also be providedin the groove 122 to route the light field in a desired direction.

The ability to route or steer the light field output by the opticalfiber 150 allows the design of connectors that can mate in a widevariety of orientations including horizontally side-by-side, vertically,at right angles, at oblique angles, etc. Additionally, the opticalfibers of two mated connectors may extend from the same side of themated pair of connectors, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Pursuant to still further embodiments of the present invention,connectors for fiber optic cables are provided in which photonic opticalmode field converters are fabricated and then positioned on or within asubstrate. The substrate may comprise, for example, a chip that is cutfrom a wafer that is processed in a semiconductor processing facilityusing lithography, etching or other semiconductor processing techniques,or a chip that us processed using MEMS or micromachining techniques. Agroove is provided in the substrate. The groove may be cut into thesubstrate, the groove may be formed by depositing layers that define thegroove, and a substrate having a groove may be formed in a singleprocessing step. An optical fiber is then positioned in the groove sothat the light field output by the optical fiber is passed to thephotonic optical mode field converter. The substrate including thephotonic optical mode field converter and the optical fiber may beencased in a housing to provide a fiber optic connector. In someembodiments, the optical fiber may be an optical fiber pigtail and thispigtail may be joined by fusing to an optical fiber of a fiber opticcable to provide a connectorized fiber optic cable. In otherembodiments, the optical fiber of the connector may be an end portion ofan optical fiber of a fiber optic cable that is terminated into thehousing to connectorize the fiber optic cable. Example embodiments ofsuch fiber optic connectors and connectorized fiber optic cables willnow be discussed with reference to FIGS. 14-17.

In particular, FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of end portions of apair of connectorized fiber optic cables 210-1, 210-2. Connectorizedfiber optic cable 210-1 includes a fiber connector 220-1 on one endthereof, and connectorized fiber optic cable 210-2 includes a fiberconnector 220-2 on one end thereof. Each fiber optic connector 220includes a substrate 222 that has a groove 224 therein. An optical fiber250 is positioned in each groove 224. Both optical fibers 250 maycomprise single-mode optical fibers, few-mode optical fibers ormulti-mode optical fibers. The groove 224 may comprise, for example, aV-shaped groove, a U-shaped groove or a semi-circular groove. Eachsubstrate 222 may include a cavity 232. An optical mode field converter230 may be disposed at least partly in the respective cavities 232.

The groove 224 and/or the cavity 232 may be formed, for example, viaphotolithography and etching of the substrate 222 using semiconductorfabrication techniques. As is known to those of skill in the art,extremely precise etching of substrates such as semiconductor substratescan be performed using photolithography and etching, and thus the groove224 on each fiber optic connector 220 that receives the optical fiber250 may be precisely aligned with the cavity 232 in both the transverseand vertical directions (the y- and z-directions, respectively, in FIG.14, where the z-direction is into the page). One or more stops 226 maybe provided in the groove 224 that may be used to precisely control theposition of the end of the optical fiber 250 in the longitudinaldirection (the x-direction in FIG. 14).

The optical fiber 250 may be inserted into the groove 224 so that theend of the optical fiber 250 abuts against the stops 226. The stops 226may be sized so that they are longitudinally aligned with a coatinglayer of the optical fiber 250 and/or with a cladding layer of theoptical fiber 250, but so that they are not longitudinally aligned withthe core of the optical fiber 250. Consequently, a light field that isoutput from the end of the optical fiber 250 may generally not beblocked by the stops 226 and may pass through the remainder of thegroove 224 to the optical mode field converter 230.

The optical mode field converter 230 may be formed separately from thesubstrate 222, and may be placed at least partly in the cavity 232. Oneor both of the cavity 232 and the optical mode field converter 230 mayinclude alignment features (not shown) such as sidewalls, stops, ledges,end walls, etc. that may be used to precisely position the optical modefield converter 230 at a desired location within the cavity 232 so theoptical mode field converter 230 will receive an optical signal outputby the optical fiber 250. A housing of fiber optic connector 120 (notshown) may be used to hold the optical fiber 250 and the optical modefield converter 230 in place. In some embodiments, two substrates 222(which may be identical substrates) may be provided and the opticalfiber 250 and the optical mode field converter 230 are captured betweenthese two substrates 222. In such embodiments, each substrate 222 mayhave a groove 222 and a cavity 232. The connector housing may surroundthe two substrates 222 and hold them together.

The optical mode field converter 230 may receive a relatively smallerarea light field that is output from the optical fiber 250 of fiberoptic connector 220-1 and expands that light field into a larger arealight field. The optical mode field converter 230-1 may output the lightas a collimated beam. Fiber optic connector 220-2 is longitudinallyaligned with connector 220-1 so that the light field output by opticalmode field converter 230-1 is received by optical mode field converter230-2 of fiber optic connector 220-2. Optical mode field converter 230-2compresses the received light field into a smaller area light field thatis passed through the groove 224 to optical fiber 250-2. In someembodiments, the housings of fiber optic connectors 220-1, 220-2 mayhave features that facilitate precisely longitudinally aligning fiberoptic connectors 220-1 and 220-2. In other embodiments, an adapter (notshown) may be provided, and each fiber optic connector 220-1, 220-2 maybe mated with the adapter so that the adapter is used to precisely alignthe fiber optic connectors 220-1, 220-2.

In some embodiments, the optical fibers 250-1, 250-2 may each comprise asingle-mode optical fiber. The optical mode field converters 230-1,230-2 may be used to expand and compress the light field so that at thepoint of connection a large area light field is coupled between thefiber optic connectors 220-1, 220-2. As discussed above, this approachmay be used to reduce the optical coupling losses that may occur as aresult of alignment errors, dust specks and the like. However, in otherembodiments, the optical fibers 250-1, 250-2 may both comprise few-modeoptical fibers or even multi-mode optical fibers.

It will be appreciated that a wide variety of optical mode fieldconverters 230-1, 230-2 may be used in the fiber optic connectors 220-1,220-2 of FIG. 14. FIGS. 15-17 illustrate several exampleimplementations. In particular, FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment inwhich the optical mode field converters 230-1, 230-2 of FIG. 14 areimplemented as plano-convex lenses such as, for example, Luneberg lenses230A-1, 230A-2. FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment in which the opticalmode field converters 230-1, 230-2 of FIG. 14 are implemented usingmicro-lenses or micro-lens arrays 230B-1, 230B-2. FIG. 17 illustrates anembodiment in which the optical mode field converters 230-1, 230-2 ofFIG. 14 are implemented using Fresnel lenses or diffractive lenses230C-1, 230C-2. Example Fresnel and diffractive lenses that are suitablefor use as optical mode field converters 230C-1, 230C-2 are disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/612,384, filed Aug. 29, 2012, theentire content of which is incorporated herein by reference as if setforth fully herein.

In the embodiments described above, an optical fiber is positionedwithin a groove in a substrate. The optical fiber may comprise a singlemode optical fiber, a few mode optical fiber or a multi-mode opticalfiber. It will also be appreciated that these optical fibers may bereplaced instead with another fiber optic transmission medium such as,for example, a waveguide. This, it will be appreciated that many changesmay be made to the above-described embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that typically if the first fiber opticconnector of the pairs of fiber optic connectors depicted in the figuresincludes a single mode optical fiber, then the second fiber opticconnector will likewise include a single mode optical fiber. Similarly,if the first fiber optic connector of the pairs of fiber opticconnectors depicted in the figures includes a multi-mode optical fiber,then the second fiber optic connector will likewise include a multi-modeoptical fiber. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodimentsone of the fiber optic connectors may have, for example, a single modeoptical fiber while the other fiber optic connector has a multi-modeoptical fiber and the fiber optic connector designs may be modifiedaccordingly.

Pursuant to further embodiments of the present invention, fiber opticconnectors are provided that may be used to connect to two fiber opticcables that each include multiple optical fibers.

For example, FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of a pair of fiber opticconnectors 320-1, 320-2 according to further embodiments of the presentinvention. The fiber optic connectors 320-1, 320-2 are similar tovarious of the fiber optic connectors discussed above, with the primarydifference being that the fiber optic connectors 320-1, 320-2 eachinclude three optical fibers 350-1, 351-1, 352-1, 350-2, 351-2, 352-2.The optical fibers 350-1, 351-1, 352-1, 350-2, 351-2, 352-2 may comprisesingle-mode optical fibers, few-mode optical fibers or multi-modeoptical fibers. Each fiber optic connector 320-1, 320-2 includes asubstrate 322. Three grooves 324 are provided in each the substrate 322(e.g., V-shaped grooves, U-shaped grooves or semi-circular grooves),with each groove 324 configured to receive a respective one of theoptical fibers 350-1, 351-1, 352-1, 350-2, 351-2, 352-2. The substrate322 may include one or more cavities 332. In the depicted embodiment,each substrate includes three cavities 332, but it will be appreciatedthat less than three cavities 332 could be provided in otherembodiments. An optical mode field converter 330 is positioned in eachcavity 332. The grooves 324 and/or the cavities 332 may be formed, forexample, via photolithography and etching of the substrate 322 usingsemiconductor fabrication techniques.

The optical fibers 350-1, 351-1, 352-1, 350-2, 351-2, 352-2 may beinserted into their respective grooves 324 so that the end of eachoptical fiber abuts against one or more stops 326. The cavities 332and/or the substrates 322 that include the optical mode field converters330 may include alignment features such as sidewalls, stops, ledges, endwalls, etc. that may be used to precisely position the optical modefield converters 330 at desired locations within the cavities 332 so theoptical mode field converters 330 will each receive optical signalsoutput by a corresponding one of the optical fibers 350-1, 351-1, 352-1,350-2, 351-2, 352-2. A housing (not shown) such as a two piece housingmay be used to hold the optical fibers 350-1, 351-1, 352-1, 350-2,351-2, 352-2 and the optical mode field converters 330 in place.

In some embodiments, an additional pair of holes or grooves 325 may beprovided in the substrates 322, with one hole/groove 325 provided oneach side of the array of optical fibers 350-1, 351-1, 352-1; 350-2,351-2, 352-2. Alignment pins 327 may be positioned in the holes/grooves325 on one of the substrates 322. The alignment pins 327 may be receivedin the corresponding holes/grooves 325 of the other connector 325, whichcan assist in aligning the two connectors when the connectors are mated.For example, the connectors 320-1, 320-2 of FIG. 18 could be modified toinclude a total of twelve optical fibers, such that each of theconnectors may be MPO connectors. The fiber optic connectors 320-1,320-2 may operate in the same manner as the connectors 120 discussedabove with the exception that fiber optic connectors 320 includemultiple optical fibers. Accordingly, further description of the fiberoptic connectors 320 and the operation thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate another multi-fiber fiber optic connector 620according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19A,the connector 620 may comprise a substrate such as, for example, asilicon substrate 622 that is mounted within a housing (not shown). Aplurality of grooves 624 (four grooves in the depicted embodiment) areprovided in the substrate 622. The grooves 624 are deep V-shapedgrooves. A cavity 632 is provided that is in optical communication withthe grooves 624. The cavity 632 may be shaped to receive a plano-convexmicro lines array 630 that includes four micro-lenses. Optical fibers650-1 through 650-4 may be positioned in the respective grooves 624.

It will be appreciated that forming a substrate that receives multipleoptic fibers (e.g., 12) can be performed at little additional cost sinceall twelve of the grooves, reflectors and the like can be formedsimultaneously using photolithography mask and etching. Thus, scaling upthe process may be relatively easy and inexpensive. Thus, the connectorsaccording to embodiments of the present invention may be particularlyuseful for providing multi-fiber connectors such as, for example MPOfiber optic connectors.

Pursuant to further embodiments of the present invention, fiber opticconnectors are provided that may be used to connect two multi-coreoptical fibers. In particular, FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of apair of mated fiber optic connectors 420-1, 420-2 according toembodiments of the present invention that may be used to connect twomulti-core optical fibers. FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view of anotherpair of mated fiber optic connectors 520-1, 520-2 according to furtherembodiments of the present invention that may be used to connect twomulti-core optical fibers.

As shown in FIG. 20, the connectors 420-1, 420-2 may be mated together.Connector 420-1 includes a substrate 422 that has a groove 424 therein.An optical fiber 450-1 is positioned in the groove 424. An HBG reflector430-1 is positioned on a front face of the substrate 422. The HBGreflector 430-1 may be a separately fabricated component that is, forexample, bonded the substrate 422 or positioned within a cavity in thesubstrate 422. Alternatively, the HBO reflector 430-1 may be formed on asidewall of the substrate 422 using, for example, thin film depositionand photolithography and etching techniques or via micro-machining. Theconnector 420-2 may be identical to connector 420-1, so furtherdescription thereof will be omitted here.

The connector housings (not shown) may be designed so that when theconnectors 420-1, 420-2 are mated together the end of optical fiber450-2 is aligned with HBG reflector 430-1, and the end of optical fiber450-1 is aligned with HBG reflector 430-2. Thus, as shown in FIG. 20,the light field that is output from optical fiber 450-2 impinges on HBGreflector 430-1. HBG reflector 430-1 reflects the light field to HBGreflector 430-2, which in turn reflects the light field into opticalfiber 450-1. Each core of the optical fibers 450-1, 450-2 may carrydifferent wavelength optical signals and the HBG reflectors 430-1, 430-2may be designed so that the light output by each core of optical fiber450-2 is transferred to the appropriate corresponding core of opticalfiber 450-1.

FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment in which two multi-core opticalfibers 550-1, 550-2 are positioned within grooves 524 on a commonsubstrate 522 that is enclosed in a housing (not shown) to form a fiberoptic connector 520. The optical fibers 550-1, 550-2 may comprise, forexample, optical fiber pigtails. Two reflective surfaces 528-1, 528-2and an HBG reflector 530 are used to transfer a light field from eachcore of optical fiber 550-1 to a corresponding core of optical fiber550-2.

According to still further embodiments of the present invention, thetechniques according to embodiments of the present invention may be usedto provide fiber optic multiplexer/de-multiplexers. Embodiments of suchfiber optic multiplexer/de-multiplexers are illustrated in FIGS. 22 and23.

In particular, FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of fiber opticconnection that is similar to the connection shown in FIG. 20. However,in the embodiment of FIG. 22, multi-core fiber optic cable 450-1 of FIG.20 is replaced with a single core fiber optic cable 451-1. A wavedivision multiplex signal may be transmitted over the single core fiberoptic cable 451-1. The HBG reflectors 431-1, 431-2 will focus differentwavelength optical signals of the wave division multiplexed opticalsignal at different points. The HBG reflectors 431-1, 431-2 may bedesigned so that the different wavelengths of the wave divisionmultiplexed optical signal are focused into the different cores of amulti-core optical fiber 450-2 (as shown in FIG. 22) or into theindividual cores of separate single core optical fibers. Thus, theembodiment of FIG. 22 provides an optical multiplexer/de-multiplexerthat may multiplex a wave division multiplexed optical signal onto aplurality of different optical paths. FIG. 23 illustrates a similarembodiment in which an single core optical fiber 551-1 that carries awave division multiplexed optical signal uses an HBG reflector 531 tomultiplex the different wavelength optical signals in the wave divisionmultiplexed optical signal into the separate cores of multi-core opticalfiber 550-2 (or alternatively onto a plurality of single core opticalfibers.

While embodiments of the present invention have primarily beenillustrated above using concave mirrors and HBG reflectors to form thephotonic optical mode field converters, it will be appreciated thatother photonic optical mode field converters may be used. For example,in other embodiments, digital Fresnel structures may be formed on or inthe substrate. Thus, it will be appreciated that the above-describedembodiments are merely exemplary in nature.

Thus, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, methods areprovided that may be used to create connectorized fiber optic cablesthat include photonic optical mode field converters. The fiber opticconnectors that are used on these connectorized fiber optic cables maybe fabricated on a substrate such as a silicon wafer, and may have nomoving parts. The substrates used in the connectors may be mass-producedusing semiconductor and/or MEMS processing techniques at very low cost.Assembly of the connectors may be very simple as optical fibers maysimply be positioned within precisely formed grooves in the substratesand locked into place using, for example, a connector housing. Theconnectors according to embodiments of the present invention mayeliminate the need for expensive components such as ferrules and relatedstructures and expensive assembly steps such as polishing and epoxybonding steps that are used in the manufacture of conventional fiberoptic connectors.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described above withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth above. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used above and in the claims that follow to describe variouselements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Forexample, a first element could be termed a second element, and,similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(i.e., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent”, etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”“comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms used herein should be interpreted ashaving a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context ofthis disclosure and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

All embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the preferredembodiments without substantially departing from the principles of thepresent invention. All such variations and modifications are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present invention, as setforth in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic connector, comprising: asubstrate having a groove therein; an optical fiber that is at leastpartly in the groove; a reflective optical mode field converter that ispositioned to receive an optical signal that is output from the opticalfiber, the optical mode field converter being at least partially withinthe groove in the substrate and forming part of a sidewall of the grooveso as to reflect the optical signal along the groove; a housing thatsurrounds the substrate and the optical fiber.
 2. The fiber opticconnector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the groove has agenerally U-shaped cross-section, a generally V-shaped cross-section ora generally semi-circular cross-section.
 3. The fiber optic connector ofclaim 1, wherein the optical mode field converter is configured toexpand a first light field output by the optical fiber into a second,larger area light field, and is configured to compress a third lightfield received at a light field input/output port of the fiber opticconnector into a fourth, smaller area light field that is input to theoptical fiber.
 4. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein theoptical mode field converter comprises a concave mirror or a HolographicBragg Grating reflector.
 5. The fiber optic connector of claim 1,wherein the groove extends beyond an end of the optical fiber, andwherein the groove includes a reflective sidewall that is configured toreceive light output from the optical fiber or light reflected by theoptical mode field converter.
 6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1,wherein the optical fiber comprises an optical fiber pigtail.
 7. Thefiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the substrate has a frontedge, a rear edge and a pair of side edges, and wherein a first end ofthe groove is at the rear edge of the substrate and a second end of thegroove is at one of the side edges of the substrate.
 8. The fiber opticconnector of claim 7, wherein the substrate has a front edge, a rearedge and a pair of side edges, and wherein a first end of the groove isat the rear edge of the substrate and a second end of the groove is alsoat the rear edge of the substrate.
 9. The fiber optic connector of claim1, wherein the groove includes at least one curved or angled section.10. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein a portion of theoptical fiber that is within the groove defines a first longitudinalaxis, and wherein a light input/output port of the fiber optic connectoris offset from the first longitudinal axis.
 11. The fiber opticconnector of claim 1, wherein light propagating from the optical fiberto an output port of the fiber optic connector propagates on a pathhaving a single reflection between the optical fiber and the outputport, the single reflection occurring at the optical mode fieldconverter.
 12. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the opticalsignal is reflected by the optical mode field converter in a reflectionplane parallel to the substrate.
 13. A fiber optic connection,comprising: a first fiber optic connector that has a first housing, afirst optical fiber that extends from a rear surface of the firsthousing, and a first light input/output port within a side surface ofthe first housing, the first optical fiber being positioned within afirst groove in a first substrate mounted in the first housing, a firstreflective optical mode field converter being positioned at leastpartially in the first groove and being formed as part of a sidewall ofthe first groove so as to reflect an optical signal, received from thefirst optical fiber, along the groove; a second fiber optic connectorthat has a second housing, a second optical fiber that extends from arear surface of the second housing, and a second light input/output portwithin a side surface of the second housing; wherein the first andsecond fiber optic connectors are mounted in a side-by-side fashion andthe first and second light input/output ports are in opticalcommunication with each other.
 14. The fiber optic connection of claim13, wherein the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber arepositioned side-by-side.
 15. The fiber optic connection of claim 13,wherein the second optical fiber is positioned within a second groove ina second substrate that is mounted in the second housing.
 16. The fiberoptic connection of claim 15, wherein the first optical mode fieldconverter is positioned to reflect the optical signal to a secondoptical mode field converter positioned in the second housing, thesecond optical mode field converter being positioned to direct theoptical signal into the second optical fiber.
 17. The fiber opticconnection of claim 16, wherein the first and second optical fiberscomprise few-mode optical fibers for the optical signal, and wherein theoptical signal passes as a multi-mode optical signal between the firstand second optical mode field converters.
 18. The fiber optic connectionof claim 17, wherein the second optical mode field converter is withinthe second groove.
 19. The fiber optic connection of claim 16, whereinthe first substrate includes silicon.
 20. The fiber optic connection ofclaim 14, wherein the first housing has a front surface opposite fromthe rear surface, and the rear surface of the second housing isproximate the front surface of the first housing.
 21. The fiber opticconnector of claim 14, wherein the first optical mode field convertercomprises one of a concave mirror or a holographic Bragg gratingreflector.
 22. The fiber optic connector of claim 14, wherein theoptical signal is reflected by the first optical field mode converter ina reflection plane parallel to the first substrate.